Pubdate: Mon, 21 Mar 2005
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

THE LONG GRASS

A Truly Comprehensive Review Of Cannabis Policy Would Be Welcome

When the Government opted to reclassify cannabis as a Class C rather than 
Class B drug in January 2004, this newspaper cautiously supported that 
move, provided that the medical evidence was kept under constant review. To 
that extent, there can be no objection to Charles Clarke, the Home 
Secretary, asking the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs to look 
again at this matter and to consider whether different types of cannabis 
might merit different classifications.

It is important, though, that the medical aspects of this investigation are 
free of any political element. Recent studies on the behavioural aspects of 
cannabis use conducted at the University of Otago in New Zealand and at 
Maastricht University, while not wholly original, add fresh weight to an 
existing and important field of research. Ministers could also hardly 
ignore a striking new analysis by the Dutch authorities which implies that 
certain varieties of skunk are considerably more potent and dangerous than 
standard cannabis resin. If this expert committee concludes either that the 
reclassification has been superseded by events or that a division should be 
made in the legal status of cannabis, the Home Secretary would be well 
advised to take that counsel seriously.

It is not, however, the only aspect of this issue that should be 
considered. Two forceful arguments were originally put forward in favour of 
reforming the old law on narcotics. The first concerned the balance of 
evidence of the harm associated with cannabis. The second related to the 
amount spent by the police in chasing people whose principal crime was 
putting themselves at potential risk and who were otherwise law-abiding 
citizens.

A comprehensive review of cannabis policy has to look at how the 
reclassification has been pursued across police forces, what needless 
inconsistencies have occurred as a consequence and whether admittedly often 
anecdotal suggestions that much time has been saved through a less rigid 
approach to cannabis and those who use it are in fact true.

If a fundamental review of the evidence implies that cannabis is 
considerably more of a threat than previously believed, the medical aspect 
of this debate will have to be awarded more weight than the impact of 
reclassification on policing. The strong suspicion, however, is that the 
medical debate will not be resolved so clearly. There will be heated 
discussion on the effects of cannabis on those using it at a particular 
level of intensity over a long period. Even if a consensus could then be 
reached, a doubtful assertion, argument will still rage over whether the 
effect of cannabis is truly equivalent to that of other Class B drugs, or 
indeed to items such as alcohol or tobacco which have not been criminalised.

Mr Clarke has kicked this controversy into the long grass. The review he 
has commissioned will not even start until almost a month after polling 
day. He should make it clear, nonetheless, when the issue re-emerges, that 
every implication of any attempt wholly or partly to reclassify cannabis 
will be examined before implementation.
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MAP posted-by: Beth